September 22, 2016

It's been so long since I started down this road. Now on my fourth child, he is almost 16-months old. Very much lovable, as many toddlers are (I love this age), the nights are pure horror, whereas his first year of life was a walk in the park in the sleep department! Whether it be teething or something else, he is up and fumbling around from 2am onward. I nurse and try to put him down in the same cycle for up to 2 hours before I give up, call my co-parent for back-up, and/or just let him scream it out, waking up everyone else in the household and probably neighbors too.

I was up last night from 2:27 until 5:12 AM, and during my awake time I crafted strategy for tonight's wake up:

Be disciplined. When he wakes up, he no longer needs to eat, right? Maybe just go see him in the crib, pat his back as he drifts back to sleep.

Show stamina. I can't crumble. I need to stay with it. Don't let him into the bed.

Use drugs. Does it seem like the teeth are what are bothering him? I should use the advil/motrin/tylenol as it seems like it makes sense

Get my co-parent on board. We need to be aligned on the strategy. At one point this morning, I noticed a glow from the other side of the bed, and there was my toddler watching Elmo on my partner's phone as he snored!

Please: may tonight be a better night. I cannot be a zombie any longer!

September 20, 2016

I became a parent almost 16 years ago to this day, and I had always been drawn to the "love and logic" parenting approach. Upcoming in PDX is a one-day session by Dr. Charles Fay. If you can afford a day learning about it, check it out! Upcoming on October 18th 2016: https://www.loveandlogic.com/portland-oregon-oct-18-2016

Music from Latin America at North Portland Library in N PDX. All ages are invited to enjoy the Latin American folk music of Grupo Condor, featuring Spanish, African and Native American influences. Learn about each culture's contributions to the music and the instruments used in creating it. Saturday, 11 am-noon. Free!

Opening Day of Geronimo Stilton: Mouse in Space at Oregon Children's Theatre in SW PDX. Villains are threatening New Mouse City and the only hope is our reluctant hero, Geronimo Stilton. In this “enormouse” adventure, Geronimo is launched into space on a top-secret mission to save the day. Based on the wildly popular book series featuring Geronimo and his pals, Thea, Trap, and Benjamin, this story will rocket your family to another world. Saturdays and Sundays. Show times vary. $14-$32.

January 06, 2016

Spanish Niño Time in SE PDX. This drop-in bilingual playgroup is geared toward ages 0-5 years old, and combines songs, stories and play as a means of exploring the Spanish language. Friday, 10:45-11:30 am. $5.

Kids Mornings Skate at Oaks Park in SE PDX. Start the weekend with healthy family fun at Kids' Morning Skate. Session features kids' choice music, skate games and a free group lesson!10 and younger and their families only please. Saturday, 10:30 am-noon. $6.50 per child, one adult free per child's paid admission.

Final weekend of the Cinnamon Bear Cruise in Downtown PDX. You and your child will be guests of honor on this two-hour cruise. Enjoy holiday treats while a cast of fanciful characters entertain you with storytelling, music and magic. Have your picture taken with the Cinnamon Bear himself atop his magical throne. Saturday andSunday, 10 am-noon. $30 for adults, $22 for children.

Final performances for 2015 of OBT's The Nutcracker. Twinkling lights on a magical tree, snowflakes sweeping to a faraway land, the joy and familiarity of the Sugarplum Fairy ...don't miss The Nutcracker this year. Saturdayperformances at 2 pm and 7:30 pm. Prices vary.

Sea of Lights at the Oregon Coast Aquarium. Take a trip to the coast and see over half a million colorful lights and holiday decorations as you explore the Aquarium after hours. Saturday and Sunday5 - 9 pm. $8 or free with same day paid admission.

Kick off of Winter Whale Watching Week at the Oregon Coast. Whale Watching Spoken Here® program places volunteers at great whale watching sites during watch week so they can help others spot the whales. Trained volunteers help visitors watch whales at 24 sites in three states along the Pacific Northwest coast. Sunday throughThursday. Free!

A Chanukah Adventure at Shaarie Torah in NW PDX. Celebrate Chanukah with games, creating hors d'oeuvres, bean bag toss, bobbing for donuts, and Maccabee races. Festivities will be followed by a latke dinner, a Shabbat service, a puppet show and more. Friday, 5:30-9 pm. $8 per person or $30 per family.

Morning with Santa at The Children's Museum in SW PDX. A great way for your little ones to meet Santa and receive a professional photograph with St. Nick himself without having to wait in line. Play at the museum and enjoy warm beverages while you wait for your turn. Saturday, 8-10 am. $15 for members. $20 for non-members.

Free Family Day at Washington County Museum in Hillsboro. The whole family is invited to this presentation that combines education and comedy to explore chemistry, archeology and more. Get ready for juggling, Chinese flower sticks, gyroscopes and other engaging demonstrations. Plus, make a toy to take home. Saturday, 10 am-1 pm. Free!

The Holiday Express in SE PDX. Vintage railcars will take you from Oaks Park Station through Oaks Bottom Wildlife Refuge to the Springwater Trail gateway on the Oregon Pacific Railroad. Santa and his elves will be along for the magical ride. Saturday and Sunday, rides leave on the hour 10 am-8 pm. $7-$19 depending on age.

Sunday, December 13th

Posada Milagro in SE PDX. All ages are welcome to join in this Latin American celebration, featuring presentations of an original pastorela, music, folkloric dance, arts, crafts, storytelling, a piñata and traditional foods. Sunday, 1-5 pm. Free! Attendees are encouraged to bring canned food to donate to the Oregon Food Bank.

Chanukah Wonderland in NE PDX. Celebrate the season with arts and crafts, a Chanukah play zone, Chanukah theater and music, kosher doughnuts and more. Sunday, 2-5 pm. $5.

Brown Like Me Photos With Santa in SW PDX. Enjoy sweet treats and room to mingle while the kiddos get to meet Santa. Admission includes two professional digital photos of the little ones and Santa himself, with no limit on the number of kids per photo. Sunday, 3-6 pm. $25.

Gingerbread House Crafting at The Craft Factory in in SW PDX. Bring the whole family to create and decorate gingerbread houses, using the wide variety of provided art supplies. You can't eat the houses, but you are welcome to enjoy other gingerbread treats while you work. First three Saturdays in December, 9 am-1pm. $12.

The Reindeer & The Dreidel in SE PDX. Go on a family adventure with this enchanting tale of holiday traditions told through puppetry and storytelling. Saturday and Sunday, 11 am-noon. $9.

Circle of Life Salmon Celebration in Vancouver. Join Columbia Springs staff and fellow nature enthusiasts to witness the spawning of the chum salmon at their last remaining spawning site on the Lower Columbia. Stay for a buffet lunch after the viewing. Saturday, 11 am-3 pm. Free!

Eco Kid's Club in NE PDX. All ages are welcome to come play, learn about the environment and make new friends. Activities were designed by kids for kids and will be followed by a showing of an earth-friendly movie. Bring a dinner dish to share or eat at home first and enjoy the provided snacks. Friday, 5:30-8 pm. Free!

Saturday, November 21st

Angel Tree Walk at Lloyd Center in NE PDX. Join a festive walk led by Santa that ends at a holiday party filled with games, crafts, music and fun. Saturday, 9-11 am. Please bring one unwrapped gift per participant as a donation.

International Games Day in Milwaukie. Game lovers ages 5 and older are invited to make their own board games, play with provided board games, or participate in Xbox One, Pokemon and Magic the Gathering group play. Saturday, 10 am-4 pm. Free!

November 11, 2015

​Ladybug Walk in SE PDX. Portland Parks and Recreation invites children 2-5 years old and their families to walk through parks, gardens and other natural areas with a guide. Explore plants, animals and the beautiful scenery. This will be the last event of the season, with walks resuming in February. Friday, 10 am. $4 per child.

​Lego-Palooza in North Plains. Kids, teens and adults are welcome to use the library's Legos and Duplos to build and create, while socializing with other Lego enthusiasts. Friday, 11 am-2 pm. Free!

​Free Family Films at Poa Cafe in N PDX. Enjoy a selection from an eclectic mix of films geared towards ages 4-11. Movies will be displayed on an indoor projector, and families are invited to enjoy treats from the cafe as well. Friday, 5:30-7:30 pm. Free!

Saturday, November 14th

​Teach Kids to be a Dog's Best Friend in NW PDX. Children in grades K-5 are invited with their parents to participate in this fun and interactive class. An expert dog instructor will teach about how to safely interact with dogs and the best ways to play. Pre-registration encouraged. Saturday, 10-11:30 am. Free!

Portland Family Dance in SW PDX. Come learn fun and easy dances to live bluegrass music in a kid-friendly setting that is open to all ages. Saturday, 4:30-6:30 pm. $5 for kids. $6 for adults. $20 family maximum.

​Rosebuds Home Season Bout in SE PDX. See these 12-17 year old female athletes in action as the Death Scar Derby Droids take on the Rainbow Bites, followed by the Undead Avengers taking on the Little Red Riveters. This are the #4 & #5 ranked bouts for the junior home teams of Rose City Rollers. The 7-12 year old Rose Petals also play on Sunday. Click here for the full season lineup. Saturday, 6 pm. $10-$14. Children 6 and younger are free.

​First Friday Flick in North Plains. Families are invited to come together at the Jessie Mays Community Center to enjoy popcorn and a showing of Pixar's Inside Out. Friday, 6-8 pm. Free!

Saturday, November 7th

​Portland Wordstock in SW PDX. This festival will include author discussions, activities for readers of all ages, a book fair, pop-up readings and concerts, a beer tent and local food trucks. Saturday, 9 am-6pm. Ages 17 and younger are free. $15 for adults.

Enchanted Sleeping Beauty in Hillsboro. Journey Theater Arts group presents this "family day" performance of their own twist on a familiar fairytale. Saturday, 7-9 pm. Tickets are $10 in advance and $14 at the door.

Family Open Play in SW PDX. Geared toward ages 0-5, this fun and safe play space offers a wide variety of equipment for children to explore. There is also a kitchen area for ages 3-5 that includes sensory materials, manipulatives and crafts with smaller working parts. Sunday, noon-1:30 pm. $5 per child, $2.50 for additional siblings.

October 21, 2015

PP&R Ladybug Walk in N PDX. Children ages 2-5 years old and their parents are invited to walk through Portland's parks exploring the trees, bugs, animals, plants, smells and sounds. Friday, 10 am. $4 per child.

Opening Night of OCT's Junie B. Jones in SW PDX. This musical is based on the popular book series about a feisty first grader. Come laugh and sing with Junie B. as she encounters a new teacher, new friends and the lunch lady! Runs October 24-November 22.

Salmon Homecoming at Oxbow Regional Park in Gresham. Grab a front row seat as salmon make their journey back to the wild, scenic Sandy River to lay eggs in the riverbed and spend their final days. Talk with nature educators, take a short hike to the river's edge and gather around the campfire for hot chocolate or apple cider. Don't miss free activities for the kids! Saturday and Sunday, 11 am-4 pm. Free admission! $5-$7 for parking.

Lego Palooza in North Plains. All ages are invited to drop in to hang out and build with the library's Legos or Duplos. A great way for Lego enthusiasts to enjoy some creative, social time. Friday, 11 am-2 pm. Free!

You Light Up My Life Dance Party in SE PDX. All ages are welcome to enjoy dancing, interactive installations, infant sensory play, various performances and classes, crafts, food carts and a family photo booth. Saturday, 10 am-2:30 pm. $10. Ages 1 year and younger are free!

September 30, 2015

$1 or Less Used Book Sale in Cornelius. Friends of the Cornelius Public library are selling used books with all proceeds going to literacy and library programs. Get there early for the best selection. Friday and Saturday. Hours vary. Admission is free.

First Friday Flick in North Plains. This showing of Disney's 2015 remake of a classic fairytale will be hosted at Jessie Mays Community Hall. Popcorn will be served and all ages are welcome. Friday, 6-8 pm. Free!

Handmade Bike and Beer Festival in SE PDX. This family-friendly event pairs renowned bike frame/parts builders with local craft beer, great music, fun and games for all! Saturday and Sunday. Hours and prices vary.

NWCT presents The Sun Serpent in NW PDX. It's opening weekend for this production of an ancient tale told through an innovative mix of language, masks and digital media. Recommended for ages 8 and older. Saturday and Sunday. 7pm. $17-23.

September 23, 2015

SuperKids Resale Huge Consigment Event in Gresham. You will find rows and rows of clothes, toys, shoes, baby gear, books, games, room decor, outdoor toys, maternity, and more. This 4 day shopping extravaganza is a great place to buy all your kids' back to school clothes or the essentials for your baby. Thursday-Sunday. Hours vary. Admission is free!

Birding by Big Canoe in Vancouver. Ages 5 and older are invited to become citizen scientists. Work in small teams led by field experts as you paddle along, cataloging wildlife and plant species. Pre-registration required. Saturday, 7:30-9:30 am and 9:30 am-noon. Free!

Pioneer Celebration in Hillsboro. Explore a covered wagon just like the ones the pioneers used on the Oregon Trail and experience pioneer life at the Washington County Museum. There will also be stage performances, demos of pioneer craftsmanship and children's activities. Saturday, 9 am-3 pm. Free!

TriMet MAX Orange Line Grand Opening in PDX. Free family events will be offered at many of the new MAX Orange Line station stops, including a community-wide scavenger hunt. Plus all rides on all TriMet buses, MAX trains, the Streetcar and the Aerial Tram will be free all day long! Saturday, 11 am-6 pm.

Belmont Street Fair in SE PDX. The whole family is invited to enjoy the delicious food, eclectic music and kid's activities including a bounce house, putt putt golf, free trolley rides, children's music and an open house at the Belmont Fire Station. Saturday, 11 am-7 pm. Free!

Meet a Disney Celebrity at Lloyd Center in NE PDX. Join in the fun at Lloyd Center's Back to School Celebration with special meet & greet guest Calum Worthy. Calum plays 'Dez' on Disney Channel's Austin and Ally. Bring a can of food for the Oregon Food Bank and be entered to win a $250 Lloyd Center Gift Card. Saturday, noon-2 pm. Free!

Family Open Play at Upper Westside Play Gym in SW PDX.Children 5 years old and younger are invited to enjoy the padded play environment and gym equipment. A separate area for sensory materials, manipulatives and crafts will be available for children 3 years and older as well. Sunday, noon-1:30 pm. $5.

Sensory Playgroup at The Little Gym in Lake Oswego. Join The Shape of Behavior for a sensory friendly playgroup. Have some fun and learn more about The Shape of Behavior's services. Sunday, 2:30-4 pm. Free! Contact rsvp@shapeofbehavior.com for more info.

September 02, 2015

PP&R Ladybug Walk at Irving Park in NE PDX. Children 2-5 years old (and adults) are encouraged to walk alongside a nature guide to explore the park, look for slugs, listen to songbirds and feel the different textures nature has to offer. Friday, 10 am. $4 per child.

Flicks by the Fountain in Beaverton. Bring a blanket and some popcorn to enjoy a movie under the stars. All ages are welcome to attend, and this week's theme is International Film Night. Friday, 7-11 pm. Free!

Multnomah Days Street Festival in SW PDX. Join us for awesome activities for all ages. Try out the rock climbing wall, live music, arts & crafts, face painting and so much more! Saturday and Sunday, 9 am-4 pm. Free!

DIY Terrarium Day in SE PDX. Stop by the Birds & Bees Nursery to create your own terrarium using succulents, tropicals or airplants. A family-friendly science project that is sure to be fun for everyone. Saturday, 10 am-6 pm. $10 and up.

Sensory Open Gym in NE PDX. Children with special sensory or motor needs can run, jump and climb in a comfortable setting. Coaches will be present to facilitate a positive experience for everyone. Reservations encouraged. Saturday, 2:15-4:15 pm. $10 for 1 child, $15 for 2 children and $3 for each additional child.

Hawthorne Street Fair in SE PDX. We hope to see you at this super fun family event. There will be great entertainment, juggling demos, tightrope walking, balance balls, stilts, and clowns, plus face painting, prizes and more! Sunday, 11 am-5 pm.

August 05, 2015

Fabulous Frogs at Tillamook Forest Center. All ages are welcome to learn all about frogs and some of their amphibious relatives, explore froggy hiding places and enjoy Tillamook State Forest. Friday, 11:30 am-noon. Free!

Kids' Night Out in NW PDX. Parents can enjoy a night out while kids play with friends. The evening starts with art instruction and projects followed by dinner, then more play and art time. Pre-registration required. Friday, 4:30-8 pm. $25/child or $15/sibling (use Promo Code: PDXKids for discounted pricing).

Saturday, August 8th

Alberta Street Fair in NE PDX. Come enjoy an eclectic mix of activities and events including entertainment, music, vendors, food and drink for people of all ages. Start your fun at the Kids Corner with a visit to our #ImaPDXkid photobooth hosted by Jessica June Photography along with fun games and play in the street and, of course, the chance to get one of our 2015 Summer of Fun reusable shopping bags. Additional Kids Corner activities include blueberry samples from Whole Foods, ceramic critter painting with Mimosa Studios, and seed packages with Gnome's Home. You can also play with the Circuit Bouldering Gym on a slackline, join the circus for a day with Echo Theater Company, create a unique creature with KC Puppetree, shake maracas with Portland Early Learning Project and make recycled materials into instruments with Art Jam! As always, all activities at Kids Corner are FREE!

July 29, 2015

Spanish Niño Time-PDX Playgroup in SE PDX. Speak, hear and learn Spanish through stories and songs during this social playgroup. Perfect for parents whose first or second language is español, or those who would like to expose their kiddos to another language. Friday, 10:45-11:30 am. $4.

Sunset Walk in North Portland. Join a naturalist on a hike to explore nature in the magical time between day and night. Friday 7-9 pm. $6/person or $11/family.

Saturday, August 1st

Rox in Sox in NE PDX. Celebrate music and reading at the third annual Rox in Sox festival. This year's musical guests include local artists Aaron Nigel Smith and his One World Chorus, The Pointed Man Band, as well as Grammy Award nominated duo The Pop Ups and San Francisco's award-winning hip-hop trio The Alphabet Rockers. Be sure to check out the author's stage and come say hello to us, Metro Parent-PDX Kids Calendar at our Summer of Fun photobooth and marbled chalk nature journal with our friends from Wildwood Nature School. Saturday, 10 am-3 pm.

Great Oregon Steam-Up at Antique Powerland in Salem.Check out vintage powerhouses including steam-power farm machinery, antique trucks and cars, logging gear, a steam sawmill and more. Ride the train or trolley, watch the parade and enjoy selections from food vendors. Saturday, 7 am-6 pm. Children under 12 are free! $12 per person ages 12 and up.

Columbia Slough Regatta in NE PDX. This canoe and kayak paddle is fun for the whole family. Watch for the abundant wildlife, enjoy face painting, try out the various food vendors, and learn about paddling safety. Sunday, 9 am-1 pm. $8 per person or $20 per family suggested donation.

Fun at Sellwood Park in SE PDX. Come on down to Sundae in the Park for tasty treats, games and activities. Stay for the Summer Free for All live music performance followed by a special sing-along version of the movie Frozen. Sure to entertain kids and adults alike. Sunday, noon - 10:30 pm. Free!

June 24, 2015

Used Book Sale in Vancouver. 15,000 used books sorted into categories for all book lovers. Baby board books, easy readers, graphic novels, fiction and non- fiction for adults and children including biographies, gardening, woodworking and quilting. Friday & Saturday 9am-6pm.

Open Studio at Art ala Carte in NE PDX. Children of all ages are invited to load up trays of seemingly endless supplies for an "all you can make" experience. Tuesday-Saturday 10am-5pm. $9-11.

June 10, 2015

Family Music Jam in St. Johns. Come make music with your kids. Best for ages 0-6, but the whole family is welcome to sing, dance, and play music together. $5 donation. Friday 10-10:30am.

Ladybug Walk in SE PDX. Walk the trails, explore nature, and learn from naturalists about the wildlife that resides in Lents Park. $4 per child. Friday 10am.

Paint Something Special for Dad at Mimosa Studios in NE PDX. Get a head start on gifts for Father's Day (June 21st) with a personalized gift just for Dad. You choose the pottery, your child gets to paint it or adorn it with hand prints to be fired and ready for pick up the next day. Prices vary. Friday 11-6pm.

June 03, 2015

Free Make & Take Dog Toys in SE PDX. Drop by the Pendleton Woolen Mill Store to make a tug toy to benefit Fences for Fido. Make one for your pooch and one for a dog in need. Free. Friday11-4pm.

Fun Fridays at Soham Yoga in Oregon City. Mr. Hoo kicks off this fun summer series. Come play with toys, instruments, or look at books while being entertained with great music. $5 per family.Friday 12-1pm.

Alice in Wonderland, Jr. in SE PDX. Closing weekend for this show. Lewis Carroll's famously inquisitive heroine comes to life in Disney'sAlice In Wonderland Jr., a delightful adaptation of the classic Disney film. $10. Friday 7pm.

The Rose Festival CityFair. Rose Festival activities kick off this weekend. Opening night festivities include fireworks, a dance party and of course - the rides. Rides, food and other attractions continue throughout the weekend. Admission is $7 for ages 7 and over; free for children under 7. Rides are an additional cost. Friday 5-11pm; Saturday and Sunday 11am-11pm.

Closing Weekend of NWCT's The Little Mermaid. This weekend is your last chance to catch the musical tale of a girl longing for life above the waves, done in collaboration with A-WOL Dance Collective. $18-22. Friday 7pm; Saturday and Sunday 12pm and 4pm; Monday 12pm.

April 15, 2015

Open Playgroup at the Friendly House in NW PDX. Explore a wide variety of activities and play in the gym with crawl-through tunnels, trikes and other age-appropriate climbing and sliding structures. First visit free; $6 following. Friday 9:30-11am. PP&R Ladybug Walk in SW PDX. This week explore Hoyt Arboretum with a trained nature guide. Best for ages 2-5. $4/child. Friday 10am.

March 12, 2015

Don't just sit at home and count your toddler's boogers on the wall while baby stares at the ceiling fan. Get outside and find your tribe! Shanti Hodges founded Hike It Baby to help moms and dads get moving and get connected in the easiest and most invigorating way she knows how: hiking. It's a movement that has grown to 80 cities in just about a year, and EVERYONE can join in the fun. Below is a partial transcript from the urbanMamas Podcast Episode 8 with Shanti. Check out the links below for how you can find your own Hike It Baby tribe. (oh and hey! thank YOU for leaving us reviews on iTunes! we owe you baked goods and bear hugs.)

K: Well, Shanti, tell us a little about Hike It, Baby. How it started ...

S: Where do I start? It started in July 2013. I had my son June 28th, my husband was very - we were very outdoorsy and had this crazy adventure life, we'd travel around the world and were constantly on a raft trip or some outdoor trip or another, and all of a sudden we were pretty much going to be inside all summer, cause we had a baby. And so after Mason was born there was a bit of a moment of panic for my husband and I. Like, we sat there with this newborn baby looking at each other, and we attempted to go outside on day 4 and we, like, didn't even know how to carry him! You know, we learned quickly, but we were really panicked about being inside. And my husband actually works in Alaska, on the pipeline, so he leaves for 3 weeks at a time, and I was anticipating what was coming, very quickly, in 6 weeks, that he was going to be gone and I was going to be alone. And it suddenly dawned on me that I have to make friends quickly, and a lot of my friends didn't have kids. And so I had to make friends and get out there. I wanted to be outside. And I would go to new mama groups, that were awesome, I mean I went to Alma, which was amazing, and I had this great experience going to these new mama groups, but at the same time I found we were sitting inside, and July rolled around, and Mason's 2 weeks, and then we were getting on 3 weeks, and I was like "I just want to go for a walk, but I'm really scared to go alone." My husband didn't really understand that even though I looked fine, I wasn't fine. And it was really hard to explain it to him.

February 26, 2015

Below is a partial transcript from the urbanMamas Podcast Episode 7 where we welcome Leanne Goolsby, a certified Child Passenger Safety Technician who helps fill us in on safety seat laws and recommendations in the state of Oregon. At the end of the transcript are resources to ensure your child is riding safely. And please take a moment to rate this podcast and leave a review on iTunes!

K: I know I've been doing things wrong probably the whole time my children have been in car seats.

L: Don't worry, you're in really good company. Most people are making mistakes that they're not even aware that they're making and I think that's probably one of the biggest things I've noticed as a CPST and as I've learned more and more over the years about child passenger safety is that people aren't necessarily intending to do things wrong. Nobody wants to put their child in danger on purpose, and if you do, then we've got other problems to talk about. People just don't necessarily know, it's not like you get pregnant and all of a sudden your head is filled with all of this knowledge about laws and recommendations and how to properly install a car seat. It doesn't just magically come to you.

R: It should.

K: The problem is that things keep changing. And that's kinda what prompted this whole thing today. So my kids are now 9 and 6 and really fastly - fastly? - approaching their birthdays, and so we're a bit removed from the infant seat stuff, but then when I was re-visiting how long do I keep my daughter in her booster seat, and I looked at it and went "oh man, I totally did that wrong with my son."

R: So let's just jump straight in. What are the requirements for restraining these children passengers?

L: First of all I do want to point out that there is a big difference between laws and best practice, as far as safety goes. And that is kind of universal. Laws for Oregon, and that's what I'll focus on today is strictly for Oregon. I'm going to read directly from the Oregon Impact website so I don't misquote this: "Oregon child occupant protection law states that child passengers must be restrained in an approved child safety seat until they weigh 40 lbs."

So that's talking about a harness, a 5 point harness, the straps that go over both shoulders. You have a chest clip, and then the straps that come over both hips, and the latch that connects all of those straps together at the crotch. So that's saying that your child, who is under 40 lbs needs to be restrained in a 5 point harness.

R: And there's no age associated with that? It's just the weight?

L: Yes. And again, we are talking about the laws here, and them I'm going to get into what you really should be doing to keep your child as safe as possible. Our law also states that infants must ride rear-facing until they reach both 1 year AND 20 lbs. So, if you're 6 month old is 20 lbs. they haven't reached the point of turning forward facing, according to our laws. If you're 2 year old is only 17 lbs. they also have not reached that limit. It's one year AND 20 lbs. Which I think trips people up sometimes because they think it's either/or.

Create Your Own Robot Hero at Sparks Art in NE PDX. Disney folks will be handing out Big Hero 6 swag and kids can make their own personal robots. Robot making is free; kids in grades K and up are welcome to stay for open studio for $15. Robot making is Friday 3:30-4:30pm. Open studio runs from 3:30-5:30pm.

Drop-in Open Studio in NE PDX. Children in grades K-8 will have access to a variety of art supplies to spark their imagination as they create original masterpieces. $15 for 2 hours. Friday 3:20-5:30pm.

Tamara: "If you had to move out of Portland, where would you go and why?" Well actually I've been having a lot of difficulty with the Portland Public Schools, and the school system keeps referring my son to schools with lead hazards. And since he has medical fragility and has a compromised immune system from being poisoned as a baby, I don't want him to go to a school with lead hazards and his doctors have said he shouldn't go to a school with lead hazards. But the PPS says "Well, all of the kids here are going to schools with lead hazards, so why should your kid be any different?" And so I've been looking desperately for a school without lead hazards, and we've interviewed at several schools. We just found one in Lake Oswego that we, hopefully, may get a transfer to. And if that doesn't work out, I might have to move to L.A. because they have a publicly funded public school that is a safe school for autistic kids on the spectrum, anywhere on the spectrum, from pre-K to early 20s. And is free, but if you live out of district it's a $20,000 a year private school. And it has integrated therapies, like occupational therapy, speech therapy, focused learning for any deficit areas like reading. And it's like a magical school. And so I would go to L.A. and try to find a place to live in the L.A. unified school district so my kids could go to school for free.

R: Let's talk about lead!

K: So, you have this documentary, MisLead, and you've been working on it for awhile now.

T: Yeah, I've heard from other documentary filmmakers that the average documentary gets produced in about 4 years, and some take 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 years. And so this is now the beginning of our 4th year, we just hit the 3 year mark in December. I feel bad that aren't getting this message out faster, but also I'm going with the limited funding I've had to work on the film, and we're doing something that I don't know that any other documentary has done, is we're trying to make a feature film that hopefully will be shown in theatres and will have a Hollywood and NY premiere, but we're doing it completely on donations. So over 900 people have donated something, either time or a dollar or $10,000 to help pull this together.

Clowns Without Borders Benefit Show. This show incorporates physical comedy, juggling, acrobatics, music, and more. All proceeds benefit Clowns Without Borders-USA's work of relieving trauma through laughter in areas of crisis around the world. $9-30. Tickets can be purchased in advance. Friday 7:30-9:30pm.

World Friendship Celebration in Vancouver. See performances by Kingsley Garden Music, Tepeyac Pre-Hispanic Dance, and en Taiko in celebration of performing arts from different cultures. $2-5. Friday 6:30-8pm.

January 21, 2015

Six and Under Shred at the Lumberyard. Kids six and under can enjoy Portland's unique indoor bike park, including jump lines, pump tracks, skill sections and technical trail riding. $6. Friday 9am-12pm.

Six and Under Shred at the Lumberyard. Kids six and under can enjoy Portland's unique indoor bike park, including jump lines, pump tracks, skill sections and technical trail riding. $6. Friday 9am-12pm.

January 14, 2015

Storytime and Craft at The Craft Factory. Hear a special storytime by Maggie Mae's Kids Mobile Bookshop while working on your craft masterpiece. Special deal of two tiny craft bases for $5. Friday 10:30am.

Nature Mobile in Beaverton. Enjoy hands-on activities and learn what makes some animals ready to brave the cold and snow. Best for grades K-3. Free. Friday 3-5:30pm drop-in.

January 07, 2015

Free Admission to Lan Su Chinese Garden. Receive a free admission with each donation of a non-perishable food item. Food to benefit the Oregon Food Bank. This offer runs through January 11th. Hours are 10am-5pm.

December 31, 2014

Mr. Hoo at the Village Ballroom. Clap and sing along to Mr. Hoo of the Alphabeticians as he plays the kazoo, sings funny songs, and makes everyone happy. $5 suggested donation per family. Friday 11am-12pm.

The Tangled Threads at Cafe au Play. A nine-foot-tall ukelele player and a human doll rhythm section make up this band. Sounds intriguing. $5 suggested donation. Friday 11:30am-12:15pm.

ZooLights at the Oregon Zoo. This is the last weekend to see the magical ZooLights this year! $7-10. 2 and under free. Friday beginning at 5pm and throughout the weekend.

Free Admission to Lan Su Chinese Garden. Receive a free admission with each donation of a non-perishable food item. Food to benefit the Oregon Food Bank. This offer runs today through January 11th. Hours are 10am-5pm.

Kids' Morning Skate at Oaks Park. Special skating session just for kids 10 and younger and their families features kids' choice music, games and skate specials, and a free group lesson. $6.25/child. Saturday 10:30am-12pm.

The Amazing Bubble Man in SE PDX. Louis Pearl - The Bubble Man - has been thrilling audiences around the world for nearly 30 years with the art, magic, science and fun of bubbles. $6-11; tickets can be purchased in advance. Saturday and Sunday 2-3pm.

Tallulah's Daddy at Mississippi Pizza. Grab some dinner while being entertained by the musical stylings of Tallulah's Daddy and his friends. $10 suggested donation per family. Saturday 4-5pm.

Sunday, January 4th

$2 Days at OMSI. Explore the museum and all exhibits for only $2 today. Sunday 9:30am-5:30pm.